Essential reading for people aspiring to a career in music

Producer, musician and label owner George Howard discusses several books he feels are essential reading for people aspiring to a career in music or the music industry: Good to Great by Jim Collins, Getting Things Done by David Allen, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, his own Getting Signed!, gives detailed advice on a number of critical topics how and whether to pursue a record deal, how to protect your publishing rights, how to find a manager and agent, discusses at length what the different members of your team manager, agent, lawyer, publicist, radio indie can and should do for you, and provides information on how musicians can apply the basic principles of business to their careers intuitively and effectively.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Hebrews 1 Jesus is not an angel

This morning as i was doing an assignment, last Sunday our Pastor asked us to read Hebrews. I started reading but I got stuck on chapter 1:1-2. (Im such a slacker)
Before going any further.. I looked up on the internet the purpose of this Epistle (wiki) "The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his role as mediator between God and humanity."

Since i got stuck in chapter 1:1-2 I'l talk about it ... actually i will focus on verse 2.
 ¹ Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ² And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
1:1
Before GOD spoke the ff ways (to name a few):
1. Angels (eg. Genesis 19:11)
2. A donkey (Numbers 22:28-30)
3. Prophets (Moses, Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah,etc)
1:2a
Now GOD speaks to us through Jesus. (period) in lay mans term.. if we have a relationship with Jesus GOD speaks to us... thus the meaning of THROUGH..

• God speaks to me
• God puts His law in my heart
• As i seek Him with all my heart I will find Him

Also GOD promised everything to the Son (Jesus) as an inheritance
What does this mean to us?? If everything is given to Jesus .... fill in your own revelation!

through the Son he created the universe...

• Through Jesus He creates in me a clean heart
• Through Jesus I love His creation and I will take care of it
• Through His Son I will shepherd His flock as He Shepherds me

short and sweet.. deep and meaningful i love HIM! :) I go back to the purpose of this Epistle to encourage us saints to persevere in facing your trials, Jesus is our mediator. Hope you are encouraged~
Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite - Latest Generation

Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe

Last Saturday i watched an excellent performance of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe entitled "Amihan" (Harvest) at the Living Arts Center! I was invited by Fanny Calucag to watched and I'm so glad i came. In my opinion its as good as the Bayanihan Dancers or even better (due to the live sound experience).
Vol. 12-Philippine Folk Dances

I love the idea that they used live musicians they were on guitars , kulintangs, bass, etc. all the elements needed for authentic filipiniana music. The costumes were superb, so colorful and it looks expensive. The lighting and the props were also done well. I was over-all impressed.
Capezio Little Kid/Big Kid Daisy 205 Ballet Shoe,Ballet Pink,10 M US Toddler

here is an excerpt of their performance in Sulyap (glimpse):

Luis L. Pantoja Jr. THD

    I went to a memorial service for Pasto Luis Pantoja a commemorative Prayer meeting hosted by GCF-Peel. It was a touching event for I only met Pastor Luis once here in Canada during a church picnic last month. Its a pity I did not get to talk to him.

In the prayer meeting I heard so many funny, meaningful stories about this great man. A man greatly loved and for he loved much.

Epitaph for his cremated remains: "A handful of ashes now vaulted in this corner, with nothing to boast but grace from his maker"

I happen to read his Limericks..

Limericks on my life
by Luis Pantoja on Friday August 27, 2010 at 9:33pm

Limericks are short verses generally but not always funny. Here are some about my career

Once on fire, in a suit and tie
By the hand of God and the will of man

Now he's fired, in sackcloth retired
By the hand of man and the will of God

The Lord has given, He has taken away
I tread the path, He leads the way

Flip the new page, blank with no stain
God in my old age, still holds a pen

Shadrach and friends, in furnance unburned
Daniel in the den, by lions unharmed!

Have fought a good fight, unfinished race
Have kept the good faith, in a slower pace

One-armed swordsman, not training alone
Relearning conflict, in uncharted zone

A good begining, an unhappy end
Abound with joy and lessons learned

Praise God for success
Praise God when I fail
God's plans are not stifled,
His mercies prevail

Go on amputee, new ventures to take
Goals yet to conquer, for God's kingdom's sake

Enter the new doors, and finish the race
To those who falter sufficient grace

A shattered vessel in the Potter's hand
Eager of deployment awaiting command
---Luis Pantoja

Pastor Luis Pantoja

I wished I have known this great man of faith, he has so many friends that will miss him.
May everyone mentored by him live a life dedicated to GOD!
The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics

Royal Ontario Museum ROM

Canada a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada; "the border between the United States and Canada is the longest unguarded border in the world" The country that has opened their nation for immigrants and has become a multi diverse nation.

Royal Ontario Museum ROM

I went to the ROM yesterday and experienced the diversity of cultures even in the museum.

Current Exhibition: until January 2, 2011
The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army
The Emperor who brought China to the World and the Warriors who guard his afterlife. For the first time in Canada, discover the legendary first emperor of China and the contents of his 2,000 year old tomb complex.

Inside the ROM

A must see... a great leader, emperor and visionary.
Global Studies: China The China Study

Then the museum covered a diverse collection of artifacts from the Jurassic Era, artifacts from different continents, past and present. My favorite is the collection from the First Nation (commonly known as the Indians.)

 Japanese Demystified: A Self-Teaching Guide
Canada's First Nations: A History of Founding Peoples from Earliest Times
 I enjoyed my stay in the museum.. time did fly. Time flies enjoying Art, History, and with great company. Thanks Ging Masanga for blessing me :) 

Here are the pictures using my Nokia E71:

Anne Amelia Monk

William Williamson

George Townshed

Migration

Navjot Altat

Dickson Daughter

One dark Painting

Ging Masanga and I

The Vibram Five Finger Shoes Review

The Vibram Five Finger Shoes Review

I bought the shoe last month and been walking with it ever since.
 My thoughts about it :

1. It is a head turner. People notice the weirdness of the shoe. Most common comment is that they look like gloves.
2. After walking with it for 2 hours, I can feel all the bones of my feet. Its not a painful feeling but a worked out feeling (sore). However the next day my feet felt fine!
3. Super comfortable, i can wear it the whole day till night. Wearing the shoe is like wearing protected and firm slippers.
4. After a month the shoe can get sticky so be ready to use double strength Dr. Scholes shoe deodorant.. it works!!!

Fall is almost here.. I’m not sure if i can use it during cold weather, I hope i can!

8 Reminders for Leaders

Psalm 101 NLT
A psalm of David.

1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs.
  - Worship and serve the LORD

2 I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
   -Integrity everywhere!, be careful to live a life above reproach

NKJV- 2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect    heart.

   “Behave” in Hebrew is RAHAB- make sure, behave proudly, overcome, strengthen

3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly;I will have nothing to do with them.
   -protect your eyes and hate what is evil

4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.

NKJV- 5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

“Slanders” A false tale or report maliciously uttered. and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens, by exposing min to impeachment and punishment, or by impairing his means of lining; defamation. Slander, that worst of poisons, ever finds an easy entrance to ignoble minds.
   “Ignoble” Of low birth or family; not noble; not illustrious.

6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
   Choose your friends wisely!

NIV- 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.   
   “Faithful” Firmly adhering to duty; of true fidelity; loyal; true to allegiance; as a faithful subject.
Search Amazon.com for leadership and self deception
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.

   “Decievers” Syn. -- Deceiver, Impostor. A deceiver operates by stealth and in private upon individuals; an impostor practices his arts on the community at large. The one succeeds by artful falsehoods, the other by bold assumption. The faithless friend and the fickle lover are deceivers; the false prophet and the pretended prince are impostors.
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict

8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip